British Columbia Confirms Deadly Deer Disease Outbreak: Nearly 100 Animals Lost to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease as Province Expands Hunting to Fight Chronic Wasting Disease

British Columbia Confirms Deadly Deer Disease Outbreak: Nearly 100 Animals Lost to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease as Province Expands Hunting to Fight Chronic Wasting Disease Nearly 100 white‑tailed deer have died in Grand Forks, British Columbia, after testing confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). At the same time, the province has announced an expanded hunting season near Cranbrook to curb the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Learn the latest updates on wildlife health, hunting regulations, and conservation in B.C. 🦌 Mass Deer Deaths in Grand Forks Raise Alarm In early October 2025, officials in British Columbia confirmed that nearly 100 white‑tailed deer were found dead in the Grand Forks region. Laboratory testing identified epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) as the cause. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship announced the findings on October 3, noting that the outbreak has unfolded rapidly over the past several weeks. EHD is a viral disease spread by biting midges, small insects that thrive in warm late‑summer and early‑fall conditions. The disease is fatal to white‑tailed deer, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, though it does not affect humans. Officials stressed that while there is no evidence of human transmission, people should not consume meat from infected animals. 🌡️ Seasonal Factors Behind the Outbreak According to the ministry, the outbreak is expected to subside once cooler, wetter weather arrives or a hard frost occurs. This seasonal pattern is typical of EHD, which has been documented in other parts of North America. The disease is not new to British Columbia. In 2021, an outbreak killed a large number of California bighorn sheep near the U.S. border, about 340 kilometres east of Vancouver. Wildlife experts emphasize that while EHD is part of a natural cycle, its sudden impact on local deer populations can be devastating. 🚫 Public Health and Safety Guidance Although EHD poses no direct risk to humans, the provincial government has issued clear guidance: hunters and residents should avoid eating venison from animals that appear sick or have died from the disease. Wildlife officers are continuing to monitor the situation closely, collecting samples and tracking deer mortality in the Grand Forks area. 🧬 Chronic Wasting Disease: A Parallel Threat On the same day the EHD outbreak was confirmed, the province also unveiled new measures to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD), another fatal illness affecting deer and elk populations. Unlike EHD, which is spread by insects, CWD is caused by abnormal proteins known as prions. These proteins damage the brain and nervous system, leading to severe weight loss, disorientation, and eventual death. CWD was first detected in British Columbia in 2024, prompting a cull of urban deer herds near Cranbrook and Kimberley earlier this year. Since then, six confirmed cases have been identified, with the Cranbrook region emerging as the centre of a concerning cluster. 🎯 Expanded Hunting Season to Control CWD To slow the spread of CWD, the province has announced an expanded hunting season for white‑tailed deer near Cranbrook. The special hunt will run from January 5 to January 31, 2026, and will allow hunters to harvest one additional deer above the standard limit of two. The ministry explained that reducing deer density in the region will limit opportunities for the disease to spread. The hunt will be open to all licensed hunters in British Columbia and will apply to both antlered and antlerless mule deer and white‑tailed deer. Currently, officials estimate that fewer than one percent of deer in the Cranbrook area are infected. However, they stress that proactive measures are essential to prevent the disease from gaining a stronger foothold in provincial wildlife populations. 🌍 Conservation and Long‑Term Implications Both EHD and CWD highlight the fragile balance between wildlife health, hunting traditions, and conservation policy. While EHD outbreaks are seasonal and often self‑limiting, CWD represents a long‑term challenge with no known cure. Wildlife managers are working to maintain low prevalence rates and protect the ecological stability of deer and elk herds. For hunters, these developments mean new responsibilities and opportunities. The extended hunting season near Cranbrook is not only a population control measure but also a chance for hunters to contribute directly to disease management. 🔑 Key Takeaways - Nearly 100 white‑tailed deer have died in Grand Forks due to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). - EHD is spread by midges, fatal to deer and sheep, but not transmissible to humans. - The outbreak is expected to end with cooler weather or frost. - Six cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been confirmed near Cranbrook. - A special hunting season from Jan. 5–31, 2026 will allow hunters to take one extra deer to reduce population density. - Officials estimate less than 1% infection rate in the Cranbrook area but stress urgent action. Final Note British Columbia faces a dual challenge: managing the immediate impact of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Grand Forks while preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease in the southeast. With nearly 100 deer already lost and new hunting regulations on the horizon, the province is taking decisive steps to protect both wildlife populations and the cultural heritage of hunting in Canada.